With all of the high-tech features of today’s smart cars, it’s hard not to join the conversation around distracted driving. From mesmerizing dashboard displays and infotainment centers to built-in GPS and Wi-Fi, new technology plays a huge role in how we interact with our vehicles.

But in an ironic twist, the very features that are supposed to make driving easier and safer have actually led to more accidents on the road. In 2015, distracted driving was the cause of 3,477 deaths with an additional 391,000 injured in car crashes. Here’s why some features could pose a potential safety issue and how to use them without putting yourself at risk.

Distracted Driving: More than Texting

You’ve probably seen campaigns centered on texting and driving. In fact, 15 U.S. states have made it illegal, slapping you with a hefty fine if caught on your phone behind the wheel. But it’s important to note that distracted driving includes anything that requires you to take your eyes off the road (with texting being one of the biggest offenders). Other activities could include putting directions into your GPS, talking on your phone through Bluetooth, or scrolling through social media on your infotainment center.

Navigating Safely with GPS

The evolution of mapping technology has made driving easier, faster and safer. Gone are the days of giant paper maps and pages of printed directions. However, the University of Utah discovered entering a destination into a GPS takes drivers an average of 40 seconds to complete. While programming an address into your GPS might seem like a minor distraction, taking your eyes off the road for 40 seconds is extremely dangerous.

SCENARIO: While driving, there’s been a change of plans. You need to input a new address which will cause you to focus on something other than the road.

SOLUTION: Pull over and park your car, then input your new trip.

Conversations through Bluetooth

Hands-free innovation has enabled our phones and cars to sync up — no fussing with cords, no punching in phone numbers and no texting. Both hands are on the wheel and your eyes are on the road. Simple, right? Not so fast. A recent study asked participants questions while driving (replicating real-life mobile conversations) and found that, even with their eyes zeroed in on a hazard, they failed to recognize them.

SCENARIO: While driving, you receive an incoming phone call that you know will be unpleasant. Your heart starts racing, your mind is somewhere else, and suddenly, you’re no longer focused on the road.

SOLUTION: Allow the other person to leave a voicemail and refocus on driving. Call them back when you’ve reached your destination.

Stop Dashboard Distractions

Today’s mesmerizing dashboards draw you in with their sleek, futuristic feel. Manufacturers have even made icons and letters bigger so they’re easy to read. But according to a report from AAA, drivers who tested 30 of the 2017 model year vehicles all took their eyes off the road and hands off the wheel while using infotainment systems.

SCENARIO: While driving, you have an urge to listen to a specific song. Using your Wi-Fi-connected dashboard, you search for the song on a streaming service, and you are no longer focused on the road.

SOLUTION: Before your trip, find your favorite radio station or album (and stick to it). Resist the urge to scroll through social media or use Wi-Fi.

Technology Isn’t All Distracting

Although some tech in today’s smart cars can lead to distracted driving, it’s worth noting that there are many advanced safety features to help deter accidents. Here are a few that help enhance your focus on the road:

Cameras that read lane markings and use Electric Power Steering to keep your vehicle centered in its lane.

Cameras and sensors that can see beyond what the human eye can spot at night (or behind).

As automakers continue to build smarter cars with cutting-edge innovation, it’s important to understand how to safely use this evolving technology.

In a recent Esurance report on distracted driving, Brandon Schoettle, a project manager at the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute, noted that “We are at a point where you can take your hands and feet off the controls for the most advanced systems, but not yet to the point where you can turn your brain off.”

By keeping your eyes and attention on the road at all times, you can avoid putting yourself and others at risk.

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Haden Kirkpatrick is the director of marketing strategy and innovation at Esurance, where he is responsible for all initiatives related to product and service innovation. He manages the annual planning processes for the marketing and service business units. Haden is an innovator who is constantly thinking about how IoT, blockchain and machine learning will impact the insurance industry. He is also a mobile guru, aspiring yogi and mixed martial artist.

What people are saying about the presentations:

“ No more phone out in the car for me. I told my kids they would not be seeing me using the phone in the car again. ”— Mary Zambri, Executive Director, Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington D.C.

“Normally I start texting as soon as I get in my car after the game, but after the talk today, I am not texting when I get in my car and leaving the wrist band in my car as a reminder”— from a cheerleader at University High School, Baton Rouge LA.

“These presentations have been a wonderful combination of thought-provoking conversations, videos, student participation, and quality information sharing … On a personal note, every year after the presentation, I have walked away with a renewed passion for life, and for making incremental changes in the way I live and drive. I strongly recommend that schools and other organizations engage in this influential assembly.”— John Perella Headmaster, Medford High School, Medford, MA

“It was a fabulous presentation, well organized and certainly a most important topic that needs to be addressed in this fast moving technological world of ours. The girls thoroughly enjoyed hearing from all of the presenters and told me how much “it made them think”. One of the teachers told me yesterday that he thought it was the best assembly that we have had!” —Chris Kaiser, Dean of Students, Notre Dame Prep, Towson, MD

"I'm continuing to hear excellent feedback from both faculty and students. Many students are telling me that they really enjoyed the interaction, and that you're an alum. A lot of teachers are telling me that the message was right on point. I actually received two emails from teachers over the weekend that said they are now thinking twice when driving!" —Christopher Romero, Central Catholic High School, Lawrence, MA

“[Thank you to John McKiggan for speaking to ] our Grade 9 students. Your message of the awful consequences of distracted driving was heard by our students and staff. The videos really engaged them and made them think. The demonstration of a distracted driver and what students/passengers can say was perfect! Many students returned the sheets and I therefore know they had a conversation with their parents/guardians.”— J.W. Halifax, Nova Scotia.

“ I presented to 450 sophomores at my alma mater, St. Xavier High School, in Cincinnati, the largest, all boys Jesuit high school in the US. It was a grand success and I had a wonderful time... the President and development director have already asked me back next year. The energy and feedback were incredible and powerful.”— Mark Kitrick. Esq Cincinnati, OH.

“ Prevention is ultimately the primary "cure" for the devastating injuries we see. This message has the potential to prevent many of the pediatric spinal cord injuries that happen in this country; this message needs to be delivered and acted upon. ”—Occupational Therapist, Shriner’s Hospital, Philadelphia.

“WOW! What a refreshing experience! Today is one of those days where you feel good about what you do and even better about what you have done knowing that you might just have saved a life. The kids were really excited and participation was excellent. One of the most rousing responses came when I fessed-up to being a distracted driver in my past. I made the confession in my opening remarks and it was smooth sailing from there. ”— George Boath, Esq. Stratford CT

“ I just presented to Nichols School's Upper School students and feel completely charged from the experience. The kids loved the message and the faculty couldn't have appreciated it more. It's great to volunteer with this incredible initiative.”—John Bair, Milestone Consulting, LLC, Buffalo, NY.

“ In a few days, I’m getting my license and I’m not going to be a distracted driver. My mom will text and drive a lot and it freaks me out. If something is that important, have the passenger text for you. ” —Gabby

“ I spoke at Andrew Jackson Senior High in Jacksonville, Florida. One young lady, watching the bus driver filling out papers and driving with his knees, said “My mama does that.” (Frankly, that surprised me.) She became my assistant, holding the microphone up to the AV equipment so it could be heard by everyone. The teachers stayed in the auditorium and were very pleased with the level of participation. ”—Wayne Hoganl, Esq, Jacksonville, FL

“ I spoke to several students about the role-play scenario you did on stage, and they all agreed they find it difficult to confront their parents about texting while driving. Thank you so much for bringing such a poignant issue to our community. I work with teenagers all day, so I know that decision making is often very difficult for them. Your compassionate and thoughtful presentation has changed behaviors. ” —Joel Dankoff, Student Council Advisor Friends' Central School, Wynnewood, PA

“ After the presentation a student came up to me and thanked me for coming to the school. He then shared that his parent had killed someone when driving distracted. He shared his feelings from the perspective of a young man who watched the aftermath of the tragedy his parent caused and indicated how that changed his parent’s driving behaviors and how that has affected this young man—who does not drive distracted now. ”— Chris Marzzacco, Esq. Harrisburg, PA

“ Went great! [Spoke to] sixty students from the alternative high school. Looking forward later this month when we hit all 5 of the area public and private high schools. The program is certain to change behaviors and the way that people look at distracted driving. We made a definite impact on our students, but I think we also got the attention of the teachers who saw the presentation. Thanks again for your help, and for putting this program together.”— Mike Williams, Esq. Fargo, ND

“ Young people often are reluctant to speak up because they do not have the words to do so. The role play scenarios empower young people by providing them with the tools to advocate for themselves when they are put in an unsafe situation such as driving with an individual who is distracted. ” — Mark Fifer, The Haverford School, Haverford, PA

“ I felt when the young drivers were sharing their own poor choices this was very helpful to the cause—the students were pretty attentive; participated and shared experiences; and were respectful. I wasn’t sure at first if they’d open up, but they did. I should add that the videos about Mr. Feldman’s daughter and the sister speaking of her text to her older sister at the time of a fatal wreck were powerful and made a true impact on the kids. ”—Tim Pickell, Esq Westwood, Kansas

“ The presentation made me realize that all those little things while driving make a big difference. When you are driving distracted you not only put your life at risk but everyone around you. I want to do something to stop these deaths and it has to start with myself. I’m going to make an effort to not let myself be distracted and to let others know too. ” — Morgan

“ Seeing the pink EndDD.org bracelets on my daughter’s (now 6&7 years old) tiny wrists was a surprisingly powerful reminder that it only takes a moment to change your life, and perhaps take someone else's. I would look into their eyes and very quickly think... there is simply nothing more important to me than these girls. No email, text, bite of a cheeseburger or any other momentary distraction compares to them - the comparison itself is beyond ridiculous, so why would I take such a risk. That was all it took. I put the cell phone down and stopped eating in the car, no more checking printed directions while driving, etc. I know that I am now a safer driver for these reasons. ” — Aaron Brown, Authentic 3d Summit, NJ

“ Yesterday after school my mom was texting while she was driving and I told her to put her phone away whenever the kids are in the car. And now this morning she left her phone at home when she was driving us to school. Thanks for saving lives! ” —Alfaro

“ I thought it was a really powerful assembly. She wasn’t there to yell at us, but rather spoke from experience about how terrible distracted driving can be. ” —Amanda Librizzi, Manasquan NJ

“ Young people understand, deeply, that cell phone us while driving needs to be "de-normalized" and even stigmatized. Young people want to be supported and encouraged in using their voices to "speakup" to others, including their parents, when they feel unsafe about distracted driving. They need information, support and encouragement from us to do this. ”—Scott Blumenshine, Esq. Chicago, IL

“ Getting into a car or bus with anyone who is not a concentrated driver is putting yourself at risk no matter how experienced the driver may be. And you should let the person know that you don’t feel safe and offer to text for them or ask them to put their phone, makeup, IPod anything that is the distraction away. It can happen to anyone. ” — Hanna

Students & Drivers So Far

400,000

EndDD.org’s Awareness Initiative has reached more than 400,000 in 45 states and several Canadian provinces.